LCMS - what is the Church's stand on birth control?

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I see you have an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to draw all these conclusions from being 19 and all.

Thank you. Your kind and embracing words are appreciated. It's good when we can discuss views rather than personalities or engage in flaming diversions. Just as no one would use your age as a disparaging aspect, so nor would any use mine. I'm sure we all appreciate that very much.

You can't counteract the conservatives just by writing as essay about it. Opinion don't mean anything. Facts do. That's all I'm saying about it since this OP is for information for a person seeking and not our personal agenda.

I don't think this thread is about the future of the LCMS. Nor was my post.

I don't have a personal agenda regarding the LCMS. Do you?

I think what I stated is true (if you want to discuss that issue, we certainly can - although you did not): many congregations and all denominations have their radical fringes that are often vocal and highly political. The LCMS is no different. The internet gives such a mode to preach their agenda and keep the heat up. I suspect that's true in our denomination, as well (don't know why it would be any different).

I just stated a fact. The LCMS is extremely open, with a very influential convention every three years at which every single congregation (large or small) has an equal voice - either directly as a delegate or indirectly by the selection of such. These delegates are EQUALLY lay and clergy. I know of no denomination so open and democratic. The last one re-elected President Kieschnick - again. On the first ballot, by a significant margin, if my memory is correct. From what I understand (and I was not a delegate), it was largely an affirmation of the direction of the LCMS. What I am CERTAIN about is that not everyone likes that and that some radicals that don't are certain the 'end is at hand' and some will even act on that "love it or leave it" mentality. Of that, I have no doubt. It's not unusual in congregations and it's a universal aspect of denominations.

I posted that I don't consider the loud voices of the radical fringes to be a negative, such can serve a congregation and denomination well as long as such acts in respect, humility and Christian love - and they know what "synod" means (it's not: "MY way or the highway"). That the LCMS gives them the a mic and a vote in a very open forum speaks highly for the LCMS.

I think the LCMS is some 170 years old (ancient by American Protestant denominational standards, LOL) and has never had a significant split, growing from a handful to over 1.5 million, becoming a denomination of which many outside the denomination regard with respect and esteem, IMHO, speaks well for her. But we tend to be a passionate, very conservative people, embracing accountability strongly. That we "walk together" so very, very well is something I affirm and appreciate - even though I realize a few won't and don't (it's okay).


Again, thank you for your kind respect and embrace. Perhaps, since this thread is about the LCMS's official synodical position on birth control, if you want to discuss political wars, radical fringes and/or the future of the LCMS, that can be taken to a separate thread???



Thank you!


May God richly bless you and those your love in Christ our Savior.


- Josiah





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[RadMan]

Here is a link for the concerns of the people on the "lunatic fringe". Maybe you would like to review these posts. There are some very valid points here

http://christianforums.com/t6206079-good-ol-lcms.html

 

[LutheranChick]

One thing that drives me nuts is a bunch of people that want to force their views on to others. That's what is frustrating me right now the RCC.

I don't mind sharing various opinions and a good discussion. But I hate when it turns into a match of I am right and you are wrong so you are a heretic... or whatever. It makes me tired and frustrated.

And especially with regard to things like birth control.

I am more of the "different strokes for different folks" type. Ya know, live and let live.

I think Church should be a place that lifts you up, gives you hope, encourages you in your faith, etc.

Not a place that tears you down and makes you feel like garbage stuck to the bottom of a shoe.

This is one of the many things I love about my Lutheran faith. We know that we are all sinnners and cannot possibly come to know the Lord on our own. Works do not get us anywhere near heaven, so we trust in and rely on Jesus's perfect life, death on the cross and resurrection. The law shows us our sins, and our need for Jesus. The Gospel tells what Jesus did for our salvation. We try to live a God-pleasing life out of thanks for what Jesus has done, not to earn our way into heaven.

My husband, an ex-Baptist, got away from the church as quickly as he could, as a youth, because of the 'fire and brimstone' he heard every Sunday. He hated sitting there being told what a lousy rotten sinner he was and if you didn't shape up you'd be sorry. He finds the Lutheran faith so refreshing - now he doesn't leave church feeling guilty!

 

[BrokenGhost]

Friends don't let friends read LQ.

Is there another set of Lutheran forums even out there, or maybe a chat room?

 

[ByzantineDixie]

There is a minority in the LCMS that consider Birth Control a sin. I know a relatively small number of Missouri Synod Lutherans that believe this way, including myself. However, before the 1950's, it was nearly the unanimous view. Some in the WELS & ELS also believe it is a sin.

This subject has been debated a lot on LutherQuest, so I will post the links to some of the debates and some old Lutheran Witness articles concerning the subject:

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/41700 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44701 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/32884/32879 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44748 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44699 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/49356/49347 . html

Also see the "Lutherans and Contraception" Blog:

lutheransandcontraception.blogspot . com/

I strongly urge young Lutherans to read and digest this materal regarding opposition to contraception. If you find the cat fights at LutherQuest too much for you to take (as I did) at least take a gander at the blog address. You may initially disagree with the position. But as we journey through life our perspective and point of view shift. Knowing this information now may help someone prevent a mistake he/she may later come to regret.

A lot of people (and I used to be one of them) do not see the difference between natural family planning and other birth control methods...and accordingly do not see NFP as submitting to God's plan for children. However, historically in the Church, fasting from sexual activity has been practiced, in order to imitate Christ's own behavior as well has to advance in the Christian disciplines. NFP is a form of fasting from sexual activity. It requires discipline. Of course, you may disagree with this notion but I think that is one way it can be viewed as different from artificial contraception.

I post this not to debate any Lutheran position here or even to defend NFP but in the hope that someone will read the alternate information and it might help prevent future heartache. Some decisions regarding contraception can be irreversable and some unintentionally so...from a few hormonal contraceptives which interfer with the woman's body making future conception (when desired) almost impossible to some forms of sterilization.

Thank you for your patience with me in this. I'll not post again in this thread unless invited.

 

[LilLamb219]

Luther Quest is mainly a bunch of cry babies who can't carry on a decent discussion without resorting to name calling and childishness.

Now, that's not fair

There are many wonderful posters on LutherQuest!

 

[DaRev]

Now, that's not fair

There are many wonderful posters on LutherQuest!

This is true, but the troublemakers that frequent the place ruin it.

 

[Tofferer]

I am "fixed". I don't see it as having any problems with my faith. However, if I were in the RCC, I would likely be condemned to Hell.

 

[maylor]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

This is a little personal and may be offensive to some viewers

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

My wife and I have always considered artificial birth control as a means of stewardship. As we grew a bit older the hormones were getting to be harder and harder on her system. We both despised the lowley condom, and did not trust NFP since her cycle was irregular from puberty. After discussing it we decided that a vasectomy for me was far less invasive and lower risk, than it would be for her to have her tubes tied. There was a few months off minor discomfort, but the unfettered intamacy that we now enjoy far outweighed any discomfort. Likewise for my wife, no more worry for her regarding pregnancy or hormone related risks, or mood swings related to the hormones. (Doctors don't tell you about these when the prescribe the pill).

I am "fixed". I don't see it as having any problems with my faith. However, if I were in the RCC, I would likely be condemned to Hell.

That's the official position, but two RC Priests that I have known advised the use of birth control, also in the light of stewardship. They were good Christian men, and only viewed contraception as a sin when used as a licence to sin, or for selfish reasons.

Mark

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

A lot of how the WELS feels about things depends on the motive behind them.

I'm in your boat. I have a 12 year old, two babies and one on the way. After this last baby is born, we are taking permanent steps ourselves because we realize that we just can't afford any more children. It is a responsible decision to make.

I'm married to a staunch WELS doctrine preacher-man, so if the WELS was against measures like this, he would be against them. He's even willing to get the procedure done instead of me, simply because he heard that there are many risks with the woman getting tied and fried.

 

[RadMan]

Words for promiscuous people.......................and crime offenders.

"If you can't do the time,
then don't do the crime"

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Words for promiscuous people.......................and crime offenders.

"If you can't do the time,
then don't do the crime"

Right.

I wish more schools talked about abstinence more, rather than showing kids the "right way" to have sex.

I learned how to put a condom on a cucumber in my public school sex ed class. The teacher wasn't ALLOWED to talk about abstinence because kids were gonna have sex anyway. But that might be a different thread all by itself!!

 

[LilLamb219]

Right.

I wish more schools talked about abstinence more, rather than showing kids the "right way" to have sex.

I learned how to put a condom on a cucumber in my public school sex ed class. The teacher wasn't ALLOWED to talk about abstinence because kids were gonna have sex anyway. But that might be a different thread all by itself!!

 

[RadMan]

A cucumber??? Was that a math class were they did multiplication? No---my bad. Subtraction.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

The joys of a public school education are boundless...

 

[LilLamb219]

I went to public school and we didn't have THAT!! We learned Sex Ed in Biology class so it was very clinical.

 

[vle045]

We didn't have that in our public school either. It was part of our biology class and there were no "demonstrations" of any artificial birth control. Just lists of STD's and lists of contraceptions. And the lists and descriptions of STDs were enough to freighten me.

 

[RandomLayman]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

If you are doubting that it is right, consider Paul's words here. Here he talks of of eating meat sacrificed to idols, but it's application is much broader. Basically, it says that if you doubt the morality of a deed, the deed is immoral and a sin for you, no matter whether it would still be a sin or not for a person who was not doubting the morality of the deed.

(I learned this from Franz Pieper's Christian Dogmatics.)

I believe that Birth Control is a sin for all people in all times, but even if I was wrong, it would still be a sin for you because of your doubt that it is moral.

 

[DaRev]

Back in the dark ages when I went to public school, we were taught sex ed but were also taught abstinence.
This just goes to show how far in the toilet our public schools have sunk in recent years.